Indian Air Force News & Discussions

[Hindustani78]

Group Captain (Hony) Sachin Tendulkar with the Armed Force Personnel prior to the screening of the movie ‘Sachin A Billion Dreams’ at Air Force Auditorium Subroto Park, New Delhi.

 

[Abingdonboy]

New IAF C-130J caught testing at Lockheed Martin's production facility in Marietta

The aircraft with the serial number KC-3807 is speculated to be the replacement for the crashed Super Hercules (KC-3803) of the No. 77 Squadron 'Veiled Vipers'.

The aircraft will be delivered in the next few months followed by another 6 aircraft which will be based at AFS Arjan Singh in Panagarh.

 

[Hindustani78]

The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Subhash Ramrao Bhamre addressing a seminar, jointly organised by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in New Delhi on May 23, 2017. The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa, the Chairman, CII Northern Region Defence Committee, Shri Satish K. Kaura, the Air Officer In-Charge Maintenance, IAF, Air Marshal Sanjay Sharma and the Member, CII, National Defence Committee, Shri Pratyush Kumar are also seen.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa addressing a seminar, jointly organised by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in New Delhi on May 23, 2017.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
23-May, 2017 18:32 IST
Government Working towards Developing Indigenous Defence Manufacturing Capability

The Government is working towards progressively reducing dependency on foreign manufacturers and developing the defence capabilities indigenously. This was informed by Minister of State for Defence Dr Subhash Bhamre while addressing a seminar, jointly organised by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), here today.

Dr Bhamre further said, “We have included a new procurement category called the Buy Indian – IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category in the DPP [Defence Procurement Procedure]. This would be the most preferred category for procurement and it is expected to promote indigenously designed products and bring significant investment in defence R&D.”

Speaking of partnership with defence industry, Dr Bhamre informed that “The Government of India has been working on formulating a ‘Strategic Partnership’ model for creating capacity in the private industry on a long term basis.” The Government had constituted a task force with experts from various fields to recommend criteria and prescribe methodology for selection of Strategic Partners. The report submitted by the task force has been examined at length and Government shall be issuing the policy for selection of strategic partners shortly.

Alleviating concerns of the industry, the Minister said, the exchange rate variation protection has been made applicable for the Indian private sector at par with public sector undertakings for all categories of capital acquisitions. The preferential treatment given to DPSUs in excise duty/custom duty has been discontinued, as per the revised policy; all Indian industries (public and private) are subject to the same kind of exercise and custom duty levies. This would ensure a level playing field between the private and public sector. Another step that the Government has taken is to remove the custom duty exemption on import of defence equipment to encourage ‘Make in India’.

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa, while giving keynote address, said, “The modernisation plan of the IAF is being pursued with an aim to give impetus to ‘Make in India’ and to beef up the defence manufacturing base. We in IAF are keen to see that ‘Make in India’ initiative gets converted to a reality.”

Speaking about self-reliance the Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa said, a high degree of indigenisation has been achieved in the field of radars and all the radars planned for induction in future are from Indian firms. The IAF is completely self-reliant in the field of software applications and a number of projects are functioning successfully on software developed by Indian firms.

The CII National Defence Committee member, Shri Pratyush Kumar also addressed the gathering. Senior officials of Ministry of Defence and the IAF were present at the seminar.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
25-May, 2017 15:36 IST
Mountaineering expedition by Indian Air Force team to Mount Dhaulagiri

An Indian Air Force mountaineering team comprising of 12 members including a lady climber was launched on a mountaineering expedition to Mt Dhaulagiri in Nepal on 15 Apr 2017. Standing at 8167 M (26795 Ft) Mt Dhaulagiri is the seventh highest mountain in the world. The mountain's name Dhaulagiri comes from the Sanskrit word ‘dhawal’ meaning dazzling, white and beautiful and ‘giri’ meaning mountain.

The IAF team of mountaineers is led by Group Captain RC Tripathi who was the first 1AF air warrior to summit Mt Everest in 2005. The team reached the base camp after an arduous trek of eight days. At the base camp the team trained hard for a week to acclimatise and prepare itself for the challenge ahead. As the team was all set to start its summit attempt, a spell of bad weather forced it to literally cool its heels for almost one week. Finally when the weather gods smiled on 18 May 17, the team set out on its summit attempt in two groups. The first group of three climbers led by Squadron Leader Kevin Nishant after an extremely challenging climb successfully summited the peak and hoisted the Indian and IAF flag on the summit of Mt Dhaulagiri on 20 May 17 at 1730 h. Other summiteers were Corporal Ravinder and Corporal JPS Raina along with three sherpas.

It is indeed a moment of joy for IAF. Earlier in the year 2005, IAF had created history by hoisting tricolour and IAF flag on top of the world during its first ever expedition to Mt Everest and again in 2011 during an all women Everest expedition.


*************

 

[Lord Of Gondor]

Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa PVSM AVSM YSM VM ADC, Chief of the Air Staff, led a four aircraft, MiG-21 'Missing Man' formation flypast today, at AF Station Bhisiana, to honour the valour and supreme sacrifice of Kargil martyrs. The 'Missing Man' flypast is an aerial salute accorded to honour the fallen comrades-in-arms. The Arrow Formation of MiG-21 Bison, with a gap between two aircraft in the formation depicted the - Missing Man. Later, in a simple, yet poignant ceremony, he laid a wreath at the Memorial to honour martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.
Air Chief was on a three day visit to the station. It is here, while commanding the 17 Squadron Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa had flown the MiG-21 T-96 aircraft, currently the oldest fighter in the IAF inventory. On this day in 1999, Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja VrC (Posthumous) attained martyrdom during Kargil conflict. He was at that time the Flight Commander of 17 Squadron. Mrs. Alka Ahuja wife of Late Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja VrC (Posthumous) was also present and the CAS presented her a plaque of ‘Missing Man’ formation.

During his visit, the CAS also reviewed security and operational preparedness of the base. He complimented the personnel of the base for their combat readiness; and urged them to "learn from the past, practise in the present, and Win in the Future".

Wonderful gesture from the Chief.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
28-May, 2017 10:17 IST
The CAS Visits AF Stn Bhisiana

Pays Homage to Kargil Martyrs

Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa PVSM AVSM YSM VM ADC, Chief of the Air Staff, led a four aircraft, MiG-21 'Missing Man' formation flypast today, at AF Station Bhisiana, to honour the valour and supreme sacrifice of Kargil martyrs. The 'Missing Man' flypast is an aerial salute accorded to honour the fallen comrades-in-arms. The Arrow Formation of MiG-21 Bison, with a gap between two aircraft in the formation depicted the - Missing Man. Later, in a simple, yet poignant ceremony, he laid a wreath at the Memorial to honour martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

Air Chief was on a three day visit to the station. It is here, while commanding the 17 Squadron Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa had flown the MiG-21 T-96 aircraft, currently the oldest fighter in the IAF inventory. On this day in 1999, Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja VrC (Posthumous) attained martyrdom during Kargil conflict. He was at that time the Flight Commander of 17 Squadron. Mrs. Alka Ahuja wife of Late Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja VrC (Posthumous) was also present and the CAS presented her a plaque of ‘Missing Man’ formation.

During his visit, the CAS also reviewed security and operational preparedness of the base. He complimented the personnel of the base for their combat readiness; and urged them to "learn from the past, practise in the present, and Win in the Future".

*****

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa paying homage to Kargil martyrs, at Bhatinda on May 27, 2017.

 

[Gomig-21]

Wonderful gesture from the Chief.

I've always been very impressed with the IAF. Very strong in numbers and quality and I even liked it when the Harriers were ship borne. I like the variety of platforms and the large number of Su-30MKI's, really impressive. The MiG-29K's replacing the Harriers was a great move. It's basically the MiG-35 minus a few components mainly the AESA radar but even with the Zhuk-ME it's still very potent.

Are the Jaguars still active?

 

[satishkumarcsc]

I've always been very impressed with the IAF. Very strong in numbers and quality and I even liked it when the Harriers were ship borne. I like the variety of platforms and the large number of Su-30MKI's, really impressive. The MiG-29K's replacing the Harriers was a great move. It's basically the MiG-35 minus a few components mainly the AESA radar but even with the Zhuk-ME it's still very potent.

Are the Jaguars still active?

Yes the Jaguars are active and are being upgraded with the AESA radars for maritime strike.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
29-May, 2017 16:05 IST
Martyrs’ Day observed at Air Force Station Sarsawa

Kargil Martyrs’ Day is observed all across the country to honour the martyrs who had laid down their lives in defence of our country. In keeping with the glorious traditions of the IAF, four air warriors of Air Force Sarsawa too had attained Martyrdom on 28 May 99 during Kargil Operations. On that day, one MI-17 Helicopter of the base took off for a mission with Squadron Leader Rajiv Pundir as pilot, Flight Lieutenant S Muhilan as co-pilot, Sergeant PVNR Prasad as Flight gunner and Sergeant RK Sahu as Flight Engineer. While carrying out a rocket attack on Tiger Hill in the Kargil Sector, the helicopter was shot down by the enemy and these air warriors made the supreme sacrifice in keeping with the highest traditions of service. Since then, 28th May is observed as Martyrs’ Day every year at this Station to honour these brave air warriors. This year, on 28 May the Air Officer Commanding and all air warriors of Air Force Station Sarsawa paid tribute to these brave air warriors by placing floral tributes at the War Memorial to commemorate the 18th anniversary of their supreme sacrifice. At the same time, four helicopters of the base took off for ‘Missing Man Formation’ in the sky, thereby, remembering the martyrs and showing gratitude towards them. Further, in the evening, a candle lighting ceremony was also organized where all families of the Station gathered and paid homage to the war heroes by lighting candles at the Station War Memorial.

 

[Lord Of Gondor]

Are the Jaguars still active?

Very much.
And the big cat is getting her claws sharpened:

Reacting to the development, Mr. T. Suvarna Raju, CMD, HAL said the aircraft is now equipped with world class avionics system. Air Marshal Bhadauria congratulated all those involved in achieving this milestone and said the DARIN III Upgrade is one of best upgrades in terms of data handling and overall capabilities.

The upgrade incorporates new state of the art avionics architecture including the Open System Architecture Mission Computer (OSAMC), Engine & Flight Instrument System (EFIS), Fire Control Radar, State of the Art Inertial Navigation System with GPS and Geodetic height correction, Solid State Digital Video Recording System (SSDVRS), Solid State Flight Data Recorder (SSFDR), Smart Multi-Function Display (SMD), Radio Altimeter with 20000 ft range, Autopilot with Alt Select & HNAV and Identification of Friend or Foe (IFF).

http://hal-india.com/Upgraded Jagua...lose to Initial Operational Clearance/ND__179

The Darin III allows the Jaguar can carry new generation weapon systems like new generation ASRAAM Air to Air missiles more powerful AGM 88 HARM missiles for SEAD role, more powerful LGB/PGM’s with CBU-105 (Censor Fuzed Weapon). The Jaguar comes with RLG inertial navigation and a digital terrain mapping system which is a very good alternative to terrain hugging and avoidance Radar systems.

The Jaguar also comes with Israeli Listening pods for better recon and pin point ground attack missions with using of LGB/PGM. The DARIN III comes with IADS suites which allow the Jaguar escape from any kind of Airborne and Ground threats.

http://defenceupdate.in/sepecat-jag...-nuclear-carrying-and-ground-attack-aircraft/

 

[X_Killer]

Are the Jaguars still active?

Last Jag was delivered in 2004. How it's possible to retire it in only 13 years.
Jag are intended to fly for atleast 25 years.

 

[Gomig-21]

Very much.
And the big cat is getting her claws sharpened:

"The big cat" niiice. Thanks for the links, buddy. Love the menacing look of the jet, especially from the front with the rear, landing gear that stick out to the sides like a golden eagle coming in for the kill!

Last Jag was delivered in 2004. How it's possible to retire it in only 13 years.
Jag are intended to fly for atleast 25 years.

Good point. I wasn't aware that the last one was delivered that recently and always thought they were older birds bought by the IAF and just kept in excellent condition. Good to know.

 

[X_Killer]

Jag DARIN-III are far much better than Aircrafts of Indian enemy at west front like F-7, Mirage v, Mirage III, f-16A/B and sino jf-17 block 1
But we still considering them as potent fighters but only for peace time.
Cheers!

 

[Windjammer]

Jag DARIN-III are far much better than Aircrafts of Indian enemy at west front like F-7, Mirage v, Mirage III, f-16A/B and sino jf-17 block 1
But we still considering them as potent fighters but only for peace time.
Cheers!

Really, then i wonder why IAF is always fielding it's Flankers, Fulcrums and Mirages in an effort to counter PAF.
Jaguar is basically a ground attack aircraft and doesn't stand much of a chance as a fighter....and IAF having lost over 50 without once firing in anger also puts a big question mark on how it's operated.